One of two Sandakan kidnapping victims released: Reports
Thens wife, Chan Wai See, 40, (right) and Thiens son, Chung Chin Lung, 32, (left) showing photos of the kidnapped victims during a visit to the Home Ministry in Putrajaya last Aug 24. - BERNAMApic/Files
After almost six months in captivity, the Malaysian restaurant manager who was kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf in Sabah has finally made it back home today.
Media reports claimed that Thien Nyuk Fun, 50, was freed after a payment of some 30 million pesos (RM2.78 million) in ransom was made.
Thien, who is manager of the Ocean King Seafood Restaurant in Sandakan, was released in Bud Taran village in Sulu province, about 1,400km south of Manila, the Straits Times reported today.
Quoting Philippines intelligence sources, The Star Online reported that Thien was released by an Abu Sayyaf commander, Al Habsy, around 11pm yesterday before being taken on an eight-hour speedboat ride to Sandakan early today.
On May 15, 50-year-old Thien, together with consultant from Kuala Lumpur, Bernard Then, 39, were kidnapped at the restaurant by four men dressed in fatigues and using a speed boat.
The kidnappers, who wore no masks, were armed with rifles and pistols.
Media reports today claimed while Thien had been released, Then was still being held.
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